Indiana primary candidates

Indiana holds its primary elections on May 8, 2018. At the primaries, voters choose their preferred candidates from a political party, Democrat or Republican, to run as the official candidate for a variety of offices in November. This year, Hoosiers can vote for positions from United States Senator to local officials. Listed below are summaries of the candidates running for each office, compiled by Mrs. Terrell’s AP US Government classes.

Kurtis Spann

United States Senator:

Joe Donnelly (D)

Joe Donnelly is the Democratic incumbent candidate in the Indiana Senate race. He has represented Indiana in the Senate since 2012 and is often recognized as a bipartisan senator for his negotiation across party lines. He describes his goals as “moderate and common sense,” which include creating jobs in America, fighting the opioid crisis, and maintaining a strong national defense. He currently serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

Mike Braun (R)

Mike Braun is a conservative businessman who wants to drain the swamp of career politicians in DC. His main goals are to protect the 2nd Amendment and create more jobs for Hoosiers. He supports the measure that life begins at conception and wants to reduce government spending. Braun is the founder and CEO of Meyer Distributing and owner of Meyer Logistics, having earned an M.B.A from Harvard Business School in 1978.

Luke Messer (R)

Luke Messer is an advocate of pro-life and wants to protect the 2nd Amendment. He wants to repeal Obamacare and strengthen border security. He is almost supportive of increasing the military budget and sending troops overseas to combat Islamic terrorists. Messer was previously an Indiana State Legislator, and currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 6th Congressional District.

Todd Rokita (R)

Todd Rokita is a strong proponent of Trump’s tax cut reforms and a strong national defense. He believes that protecting American citizens is the most important job of the government. He is opposed to Common Core and any similar standardized curriculum. His goals in office are to drain the swamp, protect seniors and veterans, combat the opioid crisis, safeguard the 2nd Amendment, and affirm the right to life.

 

Hancock County Clerk of Circuit Courts:

Lisa Eberhardt Lofgreen (R)

Lisa Lofgreen has had twenty-five years of experience as a legal assistant, which has led her to run as a clerk of circuit court.  Her three main goals for this position are: to maintain the chronological case summary accurately for each case, to work with the judges to establish specific guidelines regarding the processing of the documents maintained by the clerk and the courts, and to be sure she is adequately utilizing the software relative to all functions of the clerk, including the election office and to make changes or address training issues as needed.

Mark Lozier (R)

Mark Lozier has 35 years of business experience, having graduated from IU and received an MBA from Notre Dame. Lozier has lived in Hancock County for 3 years with his wife and identifies as a Conservative Republican.

Miriam D Rolles (R)

Miriam Rolles is a Republican candidate who campaigns for mental health with St. Vincent healthcare.

 

Hancock County Circuit Court Judge:

D.J. Davis (R)Kurtis Spann

As an attorney in Hancock County, Davis sees firsthand the problems of addiction and mental health issues and wants to implement court-based treatment programs. He grew up in Hancock County and has been practicing law in Greenfield since 1997.

Scott Sirk (R)

As the only candidate with prior judicial experience and with the most Hancock County court experience, Sirk is a well-established candidate. His most important policy issues include family law, crime-drug offenses, and the estate process.

J. Scott Wooldridge (R)

Wooldridge has career experience in business management, public health administration, and eight years of law practice. His main interests as circuit court judge are family law and improving the efficiency of the court system. His campaign slogan is “Listen. Think. Act.”

 

Hancock County Recorder:

Marcia R. Moore (R)Kurtis Spann

“My goals for the recorder’s office will be to increase access to public records by greatly expanding the documents currently available online. I will utilize new technology to increase the efficiency of the recorder’s office. I will continue to serve the citizens of Hancock County with the same dedication and commitment I have shown while serving as clerk. My husband Edgar and I have run a small local business (Moore’s Repair) for more than 25 years on the north side of Greenfield.”

Susie Albertson Morris (R)

“I’m running for recorder because I have worked in the assessor’s office for approximately 12 years now and have six years of experience in a close-working relationship with the recorder’s office. Goals: 1) I will be committed to continue the highest quality of service to all who have specific recording needs. 2) I will adhere to a tight budget while ensuring we have the specific resources needed to provide the highest quality of service. 3) I will keep apprised on all legislative action.”

 

Hancock County Auditor:

Heather Bussell (R)Kurtis Spann

Qualifications/Skills: Effective planning, Managing and auditing budgets, Sales forecasting for larger business plans, Auditing accounts, Filing claims and submitting monthly reports, Hiring and schedule management, training, personal development and office oversight of all business aspects. Top 3 Goals: Ensure taxpayers have the best positive experience when dealing with county government, Scrutinize every claim voucher to make sure that our taxpayer dollars are spent as intended by law, Ensure everyone employed by the auditor’s office is properly cross-trained and that there is a positive work environment where team building is incorporated

Debra A Carnes: (R)

Qualifications: Current Hancock County Recorder, Works frequently with Hancock County Auditor, Clerk, and Assessor, 25 years work in corporate world, real estate, and local government, Knowledge of government finance, claims, reconciliation, tax sale deeds, land transfers and tax deductions. Platform: run auditor’s office efficiently and protect the tax dollars of Hancock County. Goals: To expand the research and collection process for the Homestead Compliance Fund through cross training and utilization of current staffing levels, Launch a disabled veterans research project aimed at identifying disabled veterans eligible for a property tax deduction, Implement additional online deduction services at no cost to the county and shifting the vetting of submitter’s liability to the vendor.

 

Hancock County Prosecutor:

Grey Chandler (R)Kurtis Spann

Advocate for working with local agencies to get addicts into rehabilitation. Interned for New York District Attorney and for Marion County prosecutor.

Brent E Eaton (R)

The incumbent prosecuting attorney in Hancock County running in the primary election. Experience: Deputy prosecuting attorney Marion county 2002-2003 and Hancock County 2003-2006. He had his own private practice from 2006-2014. Currently, Eaton serves on the Board of Directors for The Landing Teen Recovery Program and Nameless Creek Youth Camp.Kurtis Spann

Bob Elsea (R)

Greenfield defense attorney running against Republican incumbent. Elsea, former chief deputy prosecutor for 34 years aims to have a more collaborative approach to running office. Including carrying his own caseload.

 

Hancock County Assessor:

Katie Molinder (R)Kurtis Spann

Katie wants to bring a fresh and fiscally responsible approach to the Hancock County Assessor’s Office. Keep jobs and get rid out outsourcing in assessment. Experience: Has worked under three different assessors.

Cindy Wolski Roberts (R)

Be fair in assessment of property, utilize the best staff and tools available, and listen to the taxpayer. She is currently the Hancock County assessor deputy and has 28 years of experience.

 

Hancock County Sheriff:

Wayne Addison (R)Kurtis Spann

Wayne has served as a county head of probation officers for 30 plus years in Hancock County and worked to achieve his bachelors degree for 4 years, he has spent over 40 year contributing to criminal justice.  His main focus on issues are the opioid crisis and treatment, citizen/community safety, and the prisoner work program.

Brad Burkhart (R)

Brad Burkhart is a current Chief Deputy running for the Republican placement of County Sheriff. His goals in achieving the position are focused on prevention/education, treatment and enforcement along with believing that the police force should concentrate on a specialized effort to supply understanding and compassion for those suffering with mental illness.

Donnie Munden (R)

Donnie Munden is currently working in the Sheriff’s office and has been part of the Hancock County Police Department for 30 years, his family are active members of the community.  In his vision, he includes: more community involvement by the agency, proactive drug investigation and enforcement, and also making the sheriff’s office more open to the public.

Donnie Smith (R)

Donnie ‘Smitty” Smith currently works as the Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy. He has worked for 30 years in law enforcement, 36 of which he was road deputy/patrol. He was the Operations Division Commander in 2007 to 2010. Smitty is running for Sheriff to serve and protect both citizens and employees of the Sheriff’s department. His goals for the positions includes raising morale and pay, decrease jail population, and increase the numbers of deputies on the road by being more efficient.